Ball game

ABSTRACT

A ball game played on an open area incorporating a centrally disposed goal of square configuration enclosed by four rope boundary lines enclosing a square area with the four ropes and the four sides of the goal being distinguishably colored so that the boundary rope facing each side of the goal will have the same color but the colors on one side of the goal and its corresponding boundary line will distinguish from the colors on the other sides of the goal and boundary lines. Spaced outwardly from each boundary line is a relatively short rope of similar color indicating a team line with each team having a ball of the same color as their assigned side of the goal, boundary and team line. The goal is a generally pyramidal truncated structure having a recess in the apex together with an ejecting mechanism for ejecting the ball from the recess when a goal is scored.

[ 5] Nov. 18, 1975 BALL GAME [76] Inventors: Roger L. Gothreaux; Louie A.

Campbell, both of 709 Omega, Lafayette, La. 70501 22 Filed: Dec. 13, 1973 21 Appl. No.2 424,603

[52] US. Cl 273/95 H; 273/34 A; 273/127 C; 273/179 R; 273/l02.l C [51] Int. Cl. A63B 71/02 [58] Field of Search273/102.1 R, 102.1 C, 102.1 G, 273/127 R, 127 C, 179, 176, 273/95 R, 95 H, 34A, 178; 124/16, 36

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,433,437 10/1922 Wakeham 273/95 H 1,481,605 l/1924 Hayes 124/36 1,776,161 9/1930 Lockwood 273/34 A 2,580,799 l/l952 Lauterbach 273/105 R 2,836,422 5/1958 Borah 273/127 R 3,172,665 3/1965 Glass 273/127 R 3,464,697 9/1969 Robillard 273/127 R 3,561,761 2/1971 Klemma 124/36 Primary Examiner-Richard J. Apley Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobsen [57] ABSTRACT A ball game played on an open area incorporating a centrally disposed goal of square configuration enclosed by four rope boundary lines enclosing a square area with the four ropes and the four sides of the goal being distinguishably colored so that the boundary rope facing each side of the goal will have the same color but the colors on one side of the goal and its corresponding boundary line will distinguish from the colors on the other sides of the goal and boundary lines. Spaced outwardly from each boundary line is a relatively short rope of similar color indicating a team line with each team having a ball of the same color as their assigned side of the goal, boundary and team line. The goal is a generally pyramidal truncated structure having a recess in the apex together with an ejecting mechanism for ejecting the ball from the recess when a goal is scored.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 3,920,245

BALL GAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention:

The present invention generally relates to a game employing multiple teams with each team employing multiple players and a distinguishably colored ball to be manipulated in a certain manner in accordance with rules of play with the apparatus including a goal of a particular shape and configuration and having an upwardly opening pocket therein for receiving a ball in order to score a goal.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

Many game devices and apparatuses have been provided employing balls which are played on a field or court in which the ball or balls are manipulated in various manners such as by throwing, carrying, hitting, kicking and the like in order to score a goal or points when the ball or balls reach a particular target area or goal. Examples of such games include football and soccer in which the goals are oriented at the ends of a relatively large playing field of rectangular configuration which requires a substantial unobstructed area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a game employing a goal located centrally in a square playing area delineated by boundary ropes with team lines provided outwardly of each side of the boundary with teams of players endeavoring to score a goal by projecting a team ball into a pocket provided on the goal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game in accordance with the preceding object in which the goal is in the form of a pyramid having a pocket in the apex thereof with the four sides of the base of the goal being parallel with the boundary ropes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a game in accordance with the preceding objects in which the four sides of the goal are distinguishably colored with the four boundary ropes and team lines also being colored the same colors as the four sides of the goal with each teamhaving a ball colored the same color as their side of the goal, their boundary line rope and their team line rope.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a game in accordance with the preceding objects in which the goal pocket is provided with a mechanism for ejecting the balltherefrom after a goal has been scored.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a game which is relatively simple in construction, is easy to lay out, requires a relatively small playing area, requires substantial physical dexterity and skill, and which provides a highly interesting and entertaining game.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 2 FIG. 2 is a series of sectional views of the goal illustrating the ball ejecting mechanism in three of its positions.

FIG. 3 is a fragmental detail view illustrating the manner of which the boundary lines and team lines are retained in position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now specifically to the drawings, the layout of the game is illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes a goal generally designated by numeral 10, a boundary line generally designated by numeral 12 and team lines each of which are generally designated by numeral 14. These components are oriented on a playing field which is relatively level and which may have natural grass, turf or the like, artificial grass or may be paved or otherwise provided with a weather-proof surface or the device may be positioned on a clay court or any other suitable playing surface either indoors or outdoors thereby rendering the game highly versatile in use and capable of being used in various types of playing areas both indoors and outdoors.

The goal 10 is a generally square, hollow pyramid having four inclined sides 16, 18, 20 and 22 with the apex of the pyramid being truncated to provide an upwardly open pocket 24 which is defined by vertical depending peripheral walls 26 for receiving one of a plurality of balls 28 which may be constructed of resilient material, inflated or the like with the balls being of conventional construction and commensurate in size to the dimensions of the pocket 24 so that the balls 28 may enter the pocket 24 in order to score points in a manner described hereinafter.

The boundary line 12 is formed by four ropes 30, 32, 34 and 36 with the four ropes paralleling the four sides of the pyramid and being equally spaced therefrom so that the goal is concentric with the boundary line 12. Positioned outwardly from each of the ropes defining the boundary line 12 and in parallel relation thereto, the team lines 14 are formed by short ropes 38, 40, 42 and 44. Each of the ropes are flexible and are positioned on the playing surface and secured thereon by U-shaped holddown fastening devices 46 as illstrated in FIG. 3 in which the rope 44 is secured onto the surface by the U-shaped hold-down 46 which may be in the form of a wire element which is forced into a ground surface. Other types of fastening means may be provided for securing the ropes 30-44 in position. As illustrated, the team line ropes are equally spaced from the boundary ropes and are parallel thereto and centrally located with respect thereto.

Each side of the pyramid goal is distinguishably colored with the colors preferably being red, blue, yellow and white and the corresponding boundary ropes and team ropes are of the same color. For example, if the inclined surface 16 of the goal 10 is red, then the boundary rope 30 and the team line rope 38 would also be red and the team assigned to this side of the playing field would utilize a ball 28 of the same color.

The goal 10 is provided with a ball ejecting mechanism which is in the form of a leaf spring member 48 which has one end thereof secured to the upper end of the wall 26 of the pocket 24 as indicated by numeral 50 FIG. 1 is a plan view of the game layout of the present I invention, illustrating the position of the goal, boundary lines and team lines.

in FIG. 2. The resilient leaf spring 48 is oriented with its free end projecting across the pocket 24 to a point beyond the center with the spring 48 normally extending upwardly at an inclined direction when in its relaxed state as illustrated in the right-hand illustration in FIG. 2. When the ball ejecting mechanism is set, the free end thereof is manually pushed downwardly to a downwardly inclined position as illustrated in the left-hand illustration in FIG. 2 and engaged under a trigger flap 52 that is hinged to an opposite side of the pocket 24 by a hinge structure 54. The trigger flap 52 also extends downwardly in an inclined relation and in overlying relation to the free end of the spring 48 for retaining the free end of the spring 48 in the position illustrated in the left-hand illustration in FIG. 2. The trigger 52 is precluded from movement upwardly due to the construction of the hinge 54 which includes a limit to prevent upward pivoting movement of the trigger 52 beyond the angular position illustrated in the left-hand illustration in FIG. 2. Thus, when the ball 28 drops into the pocket 24, it will engage the trigger 52 depressing the free end thereof downwardly beyond the free end of the spring 48 to its released position as illustrated in the central and right-hand illustration in FIG. 2 so that the released spring 48 will then return to its normal position and project the ball 28 upwardly out of the pocket 24 to a predetermined elevation thus indicating quite clearly that a goal has been scored. It is then necessary to reset the ejection mechanism by manually depressing the free end of the spring 48 and manually moving the free end of the trigger 52 into overlying engaging relation thereto. The hinge 54 may also be provided with a limit stop to limit the downward swinging movement of the trigger 52 so that it may be more eas ily grasped before resetting the trigger after each goal has been scored.

Other types of ball ejecting mechanism may be provided and other types of boundary delineating structures may be employed and the distinguishable colors used may be varied as desired. However, in practicing the present invention, one red ball, one blue ball, one yellow ball and one white ball have been used. The ropes 30-36 are correspondingly colored and the ropes 38-44 are correspondingly colored. The ropes 30-36 may be 27 feet 1 1% inches long and inch in diameter and the ropes 38-44 may be 5 feet 5/16 inches long and the same diameter with the goal 10 having each side thereof 4 feet and 6% inches in length with the boundary ropes being spaced from each side of the goal a distance of l 1 feet 8% inches and the team line ropes being spaced the same distance outwardly of the boundary line ropes.

The game can be played with two or more players but it is recommended that it be played with four teams of five players each and the four teams may be called the red team, blue team, yellow team and white team. Each player on each team is designated as a first shooter, second shooter, third shooter, fourth shooter and fifth shooter and all shooters except the shooter actually engaged in the game must stay behind their team rope. At the sounding of a warning whistle or signal, the first shooter for each team brings his ball to his boundary rope and he places his ball inside of the square area defined by the boundary. rope adjacent to his color marked on the goal, but the shooter himself must remain outside of the square but he may, place his shooting foot on the top of his ball. At the sound of a starting whistle or signal, all first shooters may take a shot at the goal to try to sink their ball in the hole or pocket. If any shooter sinks his ball on the first shot (an ace or hole in one), his team scores two points. Alternatively, rather than taking a shot at the goal, the player may decide to dribble the ball toward the goal to position it for a. closer shot. If the player makes this decision and; I scores, his team is then awarded one point. Dribble of the ball is accomplished by engaging it with a foot and moving it along the playing surface. The ball may. be

shot or manipulated in different ways. For example, the 8 foot may be placed on top of the ball and the ball rolled forwardly, the ball may be kicked with the side of the foot, the ball may be kicked with a straightforward kick or the ball may be kicked underneath thelower portion of the ball causing it to arch or loftinto the air. When a score is made, one segment of the game is finished which is designated as a skirmish and the first shooters return behind their team rope and the second shooter takes his position and proceeds in the same manner upon sounding of the warning whistle or signal.

Two alternative procedure may be employed when the player positions his ball within the square. In one procedure, the player must place his ball directly in front of his colored part of the goal and can only shoot from this position. Alternatively, a player can place his ball at any point along the inside of his colored boundary rope which provides some advantage if it is desired to shoot at an angle at the goal or at an opponents ball.

As stated before, at the sound of the starting whistle,

the player may take a direct shot at the goal or may dribble the ball toward the goal in order to position himself for a shot which is only worth one team point.

As soon as one of the players succeeds in making a goal, the skirmish is over and the shooters go to the rear of the team behind the team tope and the next shooter takes his position. If no player makes a hole in one, the.

players continue a skirmish until someone scores. All team players, except the shooter, stay behind their team rope.

No team member is allowed to touch the ball with his hand at any time during a skirmish in the square. In the event someone touches the ball with his hand, the official calls hands on the team and two points are deducted from that teams score and that player must get his ball out of the square by kicking or dribbling asfast I as possible. As soon as he gets the ball out of the If the official observes a team member crossing over i the team rope, he calls out crossing and deducts two.

points from the teams score. The player shooting in the square for that team then must get his ball outof the square by kicking or dribbling as fast aspossible and as,

soon as the ball is outside of the square, he is allowed to throw the ball to the next shooter with his hands who participates in the same manner.

All shots at the goal must be made from the ground and a player must wait until his ball rolls back off the goal to the ground before he can resume play. At no 5 time is a player allowed to touch his ball if it is touching I c the goal. If a player shoots his shot while the ball is on or touching the goal, the official calls foot and deducts two points from the teams score with the player on the team being penalized and required to get his ball out of the square by kicking or dribbling as fast as possible and then throwing the ball to the next shooter who is allowed to put the ball back into play in the same manner as in conjunction with the other fouls.

After a player has satisfied all the rules in order to position himself to hand throw the ball to his teams next shooter, any remaining players inside of the square may, if possible, intercept or block the ousted players returning ball. This is the only time a player in the square can use his hands, but only on another players ball. If the interception or block is successful, the ousted players team suffers a set back and cannot enter into the remainder of the skirmish. At the conclusion of the skirmish which occurs when one of the remaining players scores, the set back team may then enter their next shooter in the next skirmish.

In one alternative method of play called a closed game, each shooter must put their ball in play directly in front of their colored goal and no player is allowed to deliberately kick an opponents ball in or outside of the square. In an open game, the player may line up his ball anywhere inside of their colored rope to shoot and a player may hit another players ball as long as he does not kick it out of the square. If he kicks the ball of another player out of the square, his team suffers a set back and two points are subtracted from his teams score. The player whose ball was kicked out of the square gets to shoot a foul shot which is a free shot at the goal trying for a hole in one. If the foul shot is missed, the other players may then put their ball in play by shooting at the goal for a score or by dribbling in for a position shot. Only the foul shooter can score two points on a foul shot and the other players can only score one point regardless if they make a hole in one when shooting after a foul shot. If a player shoots a shot at the goal before the starting whistle blows then a false shot is called and the play is stopped and this player looses his turn and two points are substracted from his teams score. A new player from his team takes his position and play is resumed at the starting whistle. The game may be terminated when a team reaches a predetermined score such as twenty five or the like. This type of game is highly entertaining and requires a high degree of physical dexterity and can be played in relatively restricted areas and is relatively inexpensive since there is no complex mechanical equipment involved.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A game adapted to be played on a playing field or the like comprising goal means, boundary means encircling the goal means and team position indicating means disposed outwardly of the boundary means to indicate the position of team members prior to play of the game and position of inactive team members when playing a game, said goal means including an upwardly opening ball receiving pocket therein, and a ball to be manipulated by the players of each team for scoring points when positioned in the pocket, said goal means being in the form of a pyramidal member having four equal sides with each side being distinguishably colored, said boundary means including four ropes of equal length disposed parallel to and equally spaced outwardly from the sides of the goal with the ropes being the same color as the corresponding sides of the goal, said team position indicating means including a plurality of short ropes oriented in outwardly spaced parallel and centered relation to the boundary ropes and being correspondingly colored for indicating team player positions, said balls being colored the same as the team position indicating ropes, said pyramidal member having a truncated .apex, said pocket extending downwardly from the truncated apex thus requiring that a ball roll up the inclined surface of the pyramidal member or be lofted into the pocket in order to score a goal, said goal means including a ball ejecting means disposed in the pocket for ejecting a ball which has scored a goal, said ball ejecting-means including a resilient member tensioned into retracted position and held in retracted position by trigger means, said trigger means being disposed for engagement by a ball entering the pocket for releasing the tensioned resilient member for ejecting the ball upwardly out of the pocket, said resilient member being in the form of a leaf spring anchored at one end to an upper end portion of the pocket, said trigger means including a trigger member pivotally connected to an opposite side of the pocket and having a free end overlying the free end of the spring when tensioned by flexing downwardly into the pocket, said trigger member being engaged by the ball entering the pocket for disengaging the free end thereof from the spring. 

1. A game adapted to be played on a playing field or the like comprising goal means, boundary means encircling the goal means and team position indicating means disposed outwardly of the boundary means to indicate the position of team members prior to play of the game and position of inactive team members when playing a game, said goal means including an upwardly opening ball receiving pocket therein, and a ball to be manipulated by the players of each team for scoring points when positioned in the pocket, said goal means being in the form of a pyramidal member having four equal sides with each side being distinguishably colored, said boundary means including four ropes of equal length disposed parallel to and equally spaced outwardly from the sides of the goal with the ropes being the same color as the corresponding sides of the goal, said team position indicating means including a plurality of short ropes oriented in outwardly spaced parallel and centered relation to the boundary ropes and being correspondingly colored for indicating team player positions, said balls being colored the same as the team position indicating ropes, said pyramidal member having a truncated apex, said pocket extending downwardly from the truncated apex thus requiring that a ball roll up the inclined surface of the pyramidal member or be lofted into the pocket in order to score a goal, said goal means including a ball ejecting means disposed in the pocket for ejecting a ball which has scored a goal, said ball ejecting means including a resilient membEr tensioned into retracted position and held in retracted position by trigger means, said trigger means being disposed for engagement by a ball entering the pocket for releasing the tensioned resilient member for ejecting the ball upwardly out of the pocket, said resilient member being in the form of a leaf spring anchored at one end to an upper end portion of the pocket, said trigger means including a trigger member pivotally connected to an opposite side of the pocket and having a free end overlying the free end of the spring when tensioned by flexing downwardly into the pocket, said trigger member being engaged by the ball entering the pocket for disengaging the free end thereof from the spring. 